Only in PJ/KL?

Parents normally do not have their kids sit behind them when they drive. It would be most insulting as then they would be likened to the help. So the kids normally sit in the front passenger seat.

Being rich, these kids are ferried mostly by drivers and so they sit behind like little emperors or mini madams.

But I can't help notice that lately, it is becoming more of a trend. At a tuition centre somewhere close, I observed most kids just matter of factly sit behind; even if their father or mother drives. The parents, it appear so, no longer seems to mind.

That's spoiling them to the max, don't you think?

Heartsong

Well nigh Impossible!

If you want to follow strictly the advice of certified financial planners, you must have big bucks to discuss with htem . Your income must be massive; derived either from running your own successful businesses or you are in a cushy job with a multi-national paying a 5 digit salary and perks thrown in. If not, no way are you going to have a good comfortable retirement, I grant you that.

If the example they use a graduate starting afresh have only a RM2,000 salary to spare as an example, then like Scrooge you must really stinge! If you stay in remote Lima Kedai in Johor then it is perfect. However, if you are staying in Kota Damansara; its really pocheek! all the urban demands will make mincemeat of your salary.

Heartsong

Quote of the Day:

Heartsong

Deferred and Delayed Gratification

The Financial Planning Association of Malaysia (FPAM) recommends that you start a savings and investment plan the minute you get your hands on your first pay packet. Why? So that you can meet your life's goals through proper financial management. Why? .....because your government do not have a social safety net for you when you retire. you only have your EPF and that will be gone in less than 3 years-so they say.

Retiring well or even retiring in style takes a lot of hard thinking from Day 1. The minimum requirements for comfortable ever after retirement are:

• a debt-free house
• a few sources of passive income to maintain lifestyle
• a long term care programme
• adequate life insurance
• a few good friends
• regular family gatherings
• reasonably good health until 75 years of age.

So looking at the above seven outcomes; to follow the advice of Steven Covey's "Begin with the end in mind", what should one do?


Heartsong

For Goodness Sake....

Be a professional! That is my message to you.

Unless you have a big roaring multi-million family business to run when you graduate from college... unless you have the looks and talents to be a world class showman. Unless....

But if you are just ordinary person,then study hard and make sure you study only courses that make you a professional. At the end of the day- you ""boleh sign'' and open your own business. Not every one can be a doctor. Dentistry is a good choice. You may chose to become a pharmacist. Most engineering courses are good except maybe Civil Engineering. Actuarial Studies is very good if you can get a sponsorship to do it. Law - a bit over the top in supply especially in the Klang Valley. Accountancy-still one solid course but you must be able to tolerate number crunching. IT- the demand goes up and down.

Hybrid courses like biotechnology, bio-chemistry and the like. Not many are recommending because you are neither here nor there. Those in the know are recommending you choose pure disciplines.

On the Arts side, go for languages such as English and Mandarin. Study all the way up to doctorate level so that the world can be your oyster and you can gain a professorship .

But never never choose courses where you need to work for an organisation and you can only get promoted if you carry on bodeking the boss! That will be the end of you. You will never be your own man! Never ever be rich.

So watch out !

Heartsong

Guardian Angels

It is mentioned twice in the Bible. Every one of us have a guardian angel. So therefore, rely on them. Talk to them through prayers and get them to do your bidding.

Let me read more about guardian angels before I write more about them.


Heartsong

Put on Medication

My blood test showed I had high cholesterol level. At my age, a 4.9 reading is no good. It must read at 4.1 or below. So, the doctor recommended I be put on a statin medication and report back with another blood test result in three months' time.

Looks like I need to cut down on fried and oily stuff and do a proper exercise programme to ensure my health wellness.

What I do not like is this blood taking that needs to be done every three months to look at my liver and kidney status as statin medication can affect them.

Heartsong

Report Card Day

I went to my children's school on 27 June to take home their report cards. My daughter as usual, felt no anxiety pangs but my son had mixed feelings.

So I hightailed to my daughter's classroom guided by a dutiful prefect. 7 parents before me. Long wait. Got my turn at about 9 A.M. Lanky class teacher. Told me my daughter should do okay. Asked about the B grades my daughter got, she replied those were difficult tests this time around but my daughter did pretty well, though. She says my daughter should do well in her SPM. Most of the teacher's comments spoke of her industry.

So we went next to my son's classroom. There was only my friend, Lai before me and we chatted while some parent was discussing with the teacher. After Lai, I got my turn. My son's form teacher, Grace spoke of my son as helpful but tend to be disorganised in his home work. Except for BM, he should do okay. So my son's apparent fears of untoward comments from his teachers were unfounded.

As it was the practice of he school that students can follow their parents back, so my children went home with me at about 10 A. M.

Heartsong